Jammu & Kashmir government to airlift stranded passengers as weather improves

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government is making serious efforts for early airlifting of passengers stranded here following closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, state minister Abdul Ghani Kohli said today.

The government is making serious efforts for early airlifting of passengers stranded in Jammu following closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the Minister of State for Transport (independent charge), Rural Development and Horticulture told reporters.

He directed the district administration to throw open all four halls of JDA at the General Bus Stand for the passengers and also accommodate rest of them at Jammu Haj House.

It was informed that at present there are about 2,000 stranded passengers at GB Jammu and they are being provided free meals by the district administration.

The minister assured the people that the arrangements to airlift them to their destinations would be made immediately after improvement in weather conditions.

He said the government is in touch with the Indian Air Force (IAF) authorities but the air sorties could become possible only when the climatic conditions become feasible.

The minister said the state and BEACON authorities are at work to restore the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway by clearing the landslides and debris triggered by the incessant rains, particularly between Ramban and Banihal stretch.

He said continuous rains are hampering clearance of debris but the traffic would be restored soon after the weather improves.

The minister also met stranded passengers during his visit to General Bus Stand Jammu.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and Regional Transport Officer, Jammu also accompanied the minister.